"So many people are importing that it's hard to pin down an exact number," says Peter Bourke of peak body Bicycle Industries Australia. "It's still a small part of the market - but it is by far the fastest-growing."

What exactly is an e-bike? The bikes classified as "pedelecs" aren't allowed to do all the work, Bourke explains. The primary source of power must be the rider. You have to be turning the pedals before they will boost your efforts, while the motor stops helping when you reach about 25km/h.

In the past few months I've been chatting to e-bike riders whenever I can, and one thing was notable – every person I asked quickly became an e-bike ambassador, delighted to have a chance to spruik the benefits.

Hills, heat and distance

It's often said that Australia will never become "like Europe" in terms of cycling because our cities are too spread out, too hilly and too hot. But for the transport rider, power assistance can often make the difference between avoiding bike use and embracing it.

Many of the people I spoke to said that e-bikes had transformed the way they travelled, giving them the advantages of bike riding with an added edge.

One told me that he didn't consider himself a "cyclist" – but he'd nevertheless covered several thousand kilometres since the beginning of the year on his commute.

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A keen club rider who owns 10 bikes said he uses his e-bike for Monday and Friday commuting – as a different, more relaxed experience, and to lug his electronic equipment to and from the office.

Another e-bike rider, David Cheng, bought his three years ago for his commute from Chatswood to North Sydney.

"I was walking and taking the train," he says. "A weekly ticket would have cost me close to $30, so I figured the bike would pay itself off in about 2½ years."

Sally McGeoch takes her children to school on a cargo e-bike. Photo: Daniel Munoz

"It was about $3500 but we've used it almost every day since and it's paid for itself," she says.

McGeoch, who lives in Randwick in Sydney's east, uses the bike to drop her children at school before riding to work – without having to change on arrival.

The bike really rules on weekends, she says, for shopping trips and outings, especially to the beach.

"We park in front of the ocean, stay as long as we want, and don't have to then walk back up the hill and get into a hot car - it's quite liberating."

But there are safety considerations, she says: "I always stick to the bike paths and quiet roads when I have my kids."

Active transport

While the motor assists propulsion, there is no denying that electric bikes are a form of active transport.

"It's not like a motorbike – you're still getting exercise," says Rich Nicol of Sydney Electric Bikes. "It's a really good blend, particularly for people who are unfit, or are old and haven't got that fitness any more."

"Compare someone who is riding an e-bike with someone who is not riding at all," says Bourke. "They are miles ahead. And if riding an e-bike adds to the enjoyment – you'll ride more."

After a month, the researchers recorded "improvements in the riders' cardiovascular health, including increased aerobic capacity and improved blood sugar control".

More the merrier

I've spoken to riders who see e-bikes as some kind of betrayal of the faith, but for me, anything that gets people onto a bicycle is good for society – and other bike riders.

In two RAC-conducted trials in WA, participants were loaned e-bikes for 10 weeks to use for commuting or any other purpose. The participants reported financial as well as health and wellbeing benefits, and half of them bought the bikes at the end of the trial, the RAC said.

Recently, I rode an e-bike again for the first time in years, to remind myself of the attractions.

One thing I'd forgotten was how the assisted power helps to get the bike going. Moving off from the lights can be an awkward time, but the boost from the electric motor makes it easy to achieve optimum speed.

But most of all, there's the easy cruising up hills. Even the famously steep Awaba Street in Balmoral – scene of an annual charity running event – was crested with comparative ease.

Of course, there will always be unaided cycling, but the attractions of e-bikes are obvious. I've no space for an extra bike in my life right now, but I love seeing how the electric option is getting people onto two wheels.

Even when they pass me on the hills.

Fairfax journalist Michael O'Reilly has written the On Your Bike blog since 2011.